THE THIRD TWIN LAUNCH PARTY

Do you wanna have some fun, join a party, win great prizes and chat it up with an amazing author MICHELLE ZINK, author of the PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS....and all from the privacy of your own home. You don't even have to dress up but being dressed is a plus. Just remember you must follow MICHELL ZINK on Twitter to be eligible for prizes. Prophecy trivia will be asked throughout the party, and the first one to Tweet the right answer wins some very cool, fun prizes! Use hashtag #unlocktheprophecy to win!

SynopsisJust as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever’s powers are increasing, Damen’s are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life. Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen’s past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...

ReviewYYY1/2

Blue Moon begins with Ever continuing her education on being an immortal with her handsome and always supportive immortal boyfriend Damen. Damen who has been the love of her former lives for the past four hundred years and whom she cannot help but want to mack on, but she always seems to put the brakes on anything further than some serious lip locking. Why??? Well Ever is constantly comparing her lack of "experience" to Damen's six hundred years of carousing and it always seems to cool her ardor and cause her feelings of inadequacy. Needless to mention that her lessons with Damen are not producing the results that both of them want and need. Bummer!An even bigger trip is having to go to school. A facade that must be kept for no one can know what she is and what she can do. Luckily she has her good friends Miles and Haven to keep her sane while the monotony of having to "pay attention" in class would drive her insane. The duldrum of school is soon changed by Roman the new transfer student. A cheeky fellow from jolly old England and he has his eyes set on Ever and something else....Ever cannot shake the fact that Roman makes her uneasy especially when one day Roman makes a prediction that really sets her on edge. Just when Ever decides to take the next step and consummate her relationship, Damen begins to fall ill and suddenly treats her like an outcast; refuting their love and walking away from her. And he is not the only one; Ever's good friends, heck the whole school is suddenly against her, making her the outcast while they all decide to live together in harmony. All of these bizarre events began when Roman arrived and although Ever cannot prove it, she is convinced he is the cause of it. It does not matter to her that everyone adores and flocks to him she does not trust him in the least.Ever soon realizes that Damen's condition is worse than she could have ever imagined. She seeks the assistance of an old friend and travels to summer land to obtain the answers that she so desperately needs. There, she not only finds some answers but she also discovers how she can travel back in time; back to a time before her family's tragic accident and that she can prevent it all...thus eliminating the need for Damen to become ill. Because if she never had the accident then she would have never had to go to Laguna....right? The perfect solution to the problem at hand and since Damen no longer loves her, why not?Why not indeed? Ever will soon realize you can never go back...or can she?My thoughts(spoilery, you have been warned)

Oh where to begin? I will admit that I could not wait for this book, have been dreaming about it since I finished the last word in Evermore. Yes....that long. I could not wait to see how things would progress with Damen and Ever and I have to admit, knowing that they were going to finally get together gave me such a thrill...only to go crashing down in flames. To get soo close and then nothing....ARRRGGGGG!!! Then we have the subject of Evil Roman...yes yes yes..the bad guy that you know all along is the root to all evil. Come on...it is apparent from the beginning. We see it, we sense it..heck EVER knows it, but does nothing until it is way past too late. IT bothers me that with a clap of her hands and good yell that everyone wakes up to dreamlike state that everyone was in. Really was it that easy? Don't get me started on the last moments in the book. I felt like clapping my hands together and saying "HELLO EVER, WAKE UP. ROMAN IS THE BAD GUY" but nooooo...and I cringe at what happens next.I must admit that the OMG twist of all twisted endings had me screaming "NO WAY" only to have my friend respond with "WAY...that ending was wicked awesome" and it totally was. I enjoyed that fact that a few questions were answered in regards to Damen's past and the beginnings to the immortals world. Magnificent world building...Blue Moon is a page turner.Alyson Noel has a way of keeping the excitement factor kicked up and going; leaving you gripping your book for dear life and not wanting the adventure to end. Even though you may want to throw your book across the room from time to time, it is still a good read and leaves me hungry for the next installment

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

Why do I love thee, let me count the ways

uno) The cover is magic, drawing you into it's web. I love it!!!

deux) Fallen Angel..hello, I am a huge sucker for them...HUGE!!

three) The blurb sounds amazing. And I was hooked when I saw the name LUCE, love it, love it, love it.

Just in case you've been living under a rock, BITE ME! is the next big vampire novel. (or so Melissa Francis keep saying...you know, just putting it out there for the Universe to take and do something with)

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire—as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend—whom she's still totally in love with, by the way—is now her stepbrother. A former classmate—who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire—is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?

Sounds Good??? Well head on over HERE and enter the contest to get a copy.

Today, I'm happy to be featuring one of my favorite authors Rachel Vincent. She has an amazing paranormal SHIFTER series about a werecat named Faythe Sanders. It totally rocks and is one of my all time favorite reads. That is why I nearly went crazy with glee when I found out about Rachel's debut YA novel MY SOUL TO TAKE. This new SOUL SCREAMER series is about a female Bean Sidhe, Kaylee Cavanaugh and is scheduled to be released July 28th, 2009. You can find Rachel http://www.rachelvincent.com/TWITTERBLOGMY SPACEFACEBOOK

RR Your an accomplished author of an amazing adult paranormal series, what is it that drew you into YA fiction?

RV: Thank you, I’m glad you’re enjoying the Shifters books. ;-) As for what made me want to write YA, well… reading it. Over the past few years, I’ve been reading as much YA as adult fiction, and as with my adult urban fantasies, writing what I like to read felt natural.

RR Going from adult to YA paranormal, is the writing process different for you? Do you find it easier or more difficult? and why?

RV: Um… the actual writing process isn’t very different. I still brainstorm, and plot, and write the novel through from beginning to end. And because my YAs are shorter, they usually flow a bit faster than my Shifters books. The real difference is that as important as authenticity (of both voice and characterization) is in adult fiction, it’s even more important in YA. Vital. And that isn’t as simple as changing the vocabulary or setting. It’s an issue of perspective. Teenagers don’t interact or think like adults, and just throwing in some slang isn’t going to make your book sound “young.” Teenagers in fiction need to sound and feel like teenagers in life, and I agonize over the Soul Screamers books, trying to make sure they feel authentic. And I hope I improve on that with every book.

RR While you were writing MY SOUL TO TAKE, did you have a particular soundtrack in mind?

RV: Oh, that was a couple of years ago, now. I don’t think I had a list of specific songs at that point, but I often set the mood of whatever scene I’m writing with songs that capture the emotion I’m trying to convey.

RR I enjoyed MY SOUL TO TAKE because it is refreshingly unique and wicked good. What made you decide to write a story on Bean Sidhes? Was it because YA paranormal fiction seems over saturated with Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies and Witches? Or was the idea of Bean Sidhes (banshee) born from some other inspiration all together?

RV: When I started, I knew I wanted to write YA, and I knew I didn’t have much originality to add to the existing vampire/werewolf books. So I dug into research, reading everything I could found about all kinds of mythical creatures/stories, from cultures all over the world. The bean sidhe lore stuck out in my mind from the beginning, because the basics are familiar to most people, but I’d never read a book centered around them. And there were enough unanswered questions in the stories I read to allow me some freedom in my world-building. For me, that’s crucial. I need a little room to play. ;-)

RR How much research did you have to put into making the SOUL SCREAMER SERIES?

RV: I actually do a good bit of research, but always end up wishing I’d done more. So far, over the course of the 3 three completed novels and 1short story teaser, I’ve researched bean sidhes themselves, high school schedules and emergency procedures, psychiatric hospital policy and procedures, addiction and withdrawal symptoms, and the political geography of central Texas. And for a short story coming out in October, I researched more non-bean sidhe lore.

Honestly, sometimes the research is just as fun as the actual writing, and it will often spark new ideas that work better than what I was researching in the first place.

RR How many book are slated for the SOUL SCREAMER SERIES? What are their names and when are they due to grace book shelves everywhere?

RV: So far, there are three completed Soul Screamers novels, one ebook teaser, and one short story. My Soul to Lose (the green cover) is the ebook teaser, which was intended to introduce readers to Kaylee and make them curious about her world. It’s available right now for free, in several different formats, including PDF, Kindle, and Audible.

My Soul to Take (the red cover) is the first novel, and it’s already on the shelves in some places, though the official shelf date is July 28.

My Soul to Save (the blue cover) and My Soul to Keep (will have a purple cover) are the second and third novels, due out on Jan 1and June 1 2010, respectively. Because the titles are similar, I tend to think of them by the color of their covers, which I’ve included. ;-)

RR Who is your favorite character in MY SOUL TO TAKE? And why? I know that mine is Nash <3>

RV: Um… I like the chemistry between Kaylee and Nash, but right now, I think Tod is my favorite character. He’s sooo much fun to write. I also have a soft spot for Emma. But keep in mind, that I’ve read/written 3 novels and 1 short with most of the characters in it, so I’m kind of one up on you guys. ;-)

RR Which book of your SOUL SCREAMER series is your favorite?

RV: Usually, the book most recently written is my favorite, because I feel like I get better as a writer with each one. I’ll soon be digging into revisions for My Soul to Keep (purple cover), and I think that’ll wind up being my favorite. Though I also love, love, love the short story coming out in the re-release of a YA anthology called Immortal, this October.

RR Are you interested in writing any other YA novels?

RV: Yes, definitely. ;-)

RR I thought that is was a great Idea to have a prequel for the SOUL SCREAMER series. MY SOUL TO LOSE is being offered for a free audio download on audible and as an ebook on Harlequin until the end of this month. Was this the original intention or an afterthought?

RV: Actually, it’ll stay free. We’re not going to charge for that one at all. Ever. And there’s no DRM, so if you choose download it, rather than reading it online, it’ll be yours forever, and can be shared. It’s up in PDF format on my website, with no software download required. ;-)

As for the original intent, I’m not sure whether you mean the price (FREE!) or the story itself. It was always supposed to be free, but the idea to write it in the first place was Harlequin Teen’s, after I’d already turned in all three novels. Which made actually writing it pretty challenging. I was locked into several details mentioned in the first book, which had already gone to print by the time I started MSTLose. So the short story was actually harder to write than any of the novels so far.

RR Thank you Rachel, for being so kind and granting me this interview. It has been such an honor and a great pleasure to have you on my blog. I wish you the greatest success with your new series and hope that you return someday.

RV: Of course I will!

MY SOUL TO TAKE available tomorrow at book stores everywhere.

I have some serious cover love for this book :) So head on over to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of MY SOUL TO TAKE. It is a great start to a unique new series. ENJOY and happy reading.

There is a major controversy surrounding the release of a new book called Liar by Justine Larbalestier . The book will be released in September but the release of the cover art is causing a some bad mojo.As readers are beginning to read the ARC of LIAR they are questioning the cover look of the protagonist that is clearly NOT “black with nappy hair which she wears natural and short.” as Justine has written her character to be. Justine had a well written post on her blog about the cover controversy HERE. Accusations of white washing and racism are going around.

This is the Austrailian cover version of the book. Which I personally like better as does the author and she states “I want this dialogue to go beyond my book. I want every publishing house to think about this.”

I know that it saddens me that publishers find it necessary to make a cover more mass market presentable. I understand that they feel that the character is a "Liar" so why would should cover look like protagonist when she lies about everything...why not her appearance. Nice try, but I am not buying into it.

Head on over to the Book Smugglers Blog by clicking on the above image and you will have an amazing visit. Author Interviews, contests, book reviews and controversy all await you on your visit. Check it out, for it is so worth your time :)

In My Mailbox lets you peek into the contents of my mailbox on a weekly basis. I am listing all the lovely books that I have aquired this week. If you would like to participate and have your own “In My Mailbox” post, you can find more information here on the Story Siren's blog, where it all began..(This post was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.)

I have been on vacation so my IMMB have not been posted. During my vacation I went some events involving books and then I went to the STRAND in NY and had some fun. So this post is 3 weeks worth of books :)

My RWA Book Haul

I had a wonderful time getting to meet up with many YA authors and getting to chat with them. I also got to talk to J.R. WARD (I LOVE her books) and she gave my friend and I the first sentence to JM's book...yeah baby! We also gave her a Mo's chocolate bar (Milk Chocolate, Bacon and Sea Salt) from Vosges. For those that have read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series you would understand how that bar is perfect for the Vamps in her story.

Ghost Huntress: The Guidance by Marley Gibson (ARC)Once was Lost by sara Zarr (ARC)The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore (ARC)I am a genius of UNSPEAKABLE EVIL and I want to be your Class President By Josh Lieb (ARC)The Blonde of the Joke by Bennett Madison (ARC)Dead Girl in Love by Linda Joy Singleton (ARC)Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser (ARC)Sliding on the Edge by C. Lee McKenzie (ARC)Entrapment by Michael Spooner (ARC)Touch by Francine Prose (ARC)Shattered by Kathi Baron (ARC)My Soul to Take (ARC)Castration Celebration by Jake WiznerThree Witches by Paula Jolin

I am here today with the immensely talented and generously kind author Maggie Stiefvater. (insert applause here) Maggie has given me the honor of granting me an interview with Sam and Grace from her upcoming novel SHIVER, due out August 1st (or right now if you check out the book stores)

In case you don't know what SHIVER is about I will give you the 411.

Shiver is a love story about a Girl (Grace) who falls in love with a yellow-eyed wolf that saved her life. Sam is a werewolf that lives two separate lives: In the winter he is wolf living with his pack all the while pining for a fearless girl. Then in the all too brief months of summer he is human, until the cold makes him shift again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Ahhhhhh!!! how can you resist a story as beautiful as that? I know I couldn't and that is we why we are here today. It has a been a great summer with some beautifully warm days. Perfect for a journey to my favorite coffee/bookshop for an iced latte. This place also makes the best milk chocolate truffles filled with deliciously creamy passionfruit flavored caramel. Pure Bliss. Pefect for an interview.

The time and date are set and I arrive early so that I can get to my favorite spot towards the back of the shop. The sofa is worn in places but comfortably familiar and soon the aromas overwhelm my senses. My mouth waters and I barely have a chance to register all the smells when the door opens and a beautiful couple slowly entire the shop. I look up in breathless anticipation and soon am rewarded by a pair of yellow eyes meeting mine. I wave them over and soon we are all facing each other.

Introductions are made and soon we are seated. A waitress comes by and a carafe of coffee is ordered along with some truffles. YUMMY!! I am set

RRHello Sam. Hello Grace. How are you both doing today?

Grace: Fine, thanks. I'm always fine.Sam: Spoilery.

RR I hope you both don't think I am crazy for wanting to interview you both, but I enjoyed your love story so much that I had to talk to you both and get a better understanding. How do you both feel about your story being out there for the world to read?

Sam: I never thought of our story as particularly epic. It's weird to think of people being interested in our struggles. It seems like such a personal thing, just the little details of our life together. And then -- winter.

Grace: It makes me wish I was more romantic. If people are reading about our love story, Sam is going to get all the good lines.

RR I feel that Maggie did a wonderful job at conveying your story it was poetic and heart squeezingly beautiful. Was there anything that she did not put into the novel that either of you want to tell me about now?

Sam: Cooking. A lot of cooking went on off-screen.Grace: Oh, that's true. There's not really places to eat out at Mercy Falls. Plus, if you're dating a boy that turns into a wolf when the temperature drops, it makes traditional dates a bit difficult to plan.Sam: I don't like eating out anyway.Grace: Sam's a picky eater. It's kind of cute.Sam: Grace is not. That's also cute.

RR Summer is ticking away. How does that make you both feel?

Sam: Do we need to talk about this?Grace: We're finding a cure. We have time still.Sam: Grace . . .Grace: Sam doesn't think there's a cure, otherwise the others would've found it by now.Sam: . . .Grace: But that was before me. I was bitten, and I don't become a wolf. That has to be important. There has to be a way.

RR Have you made any plans for the future?

Grace: Math. I think I'm going to college for math. And Sam is going to go for his poetry thing.Sam: I would rather think about the present. Right now. I mean, I'm not saying that Grace won't find a cure -- I don't think Grace ever fails at anything she really wants -- but if she doesn't, I want to make the most of what we have.Grace: I told you . . .Sam: I know. Grace, if I didn't have to change, if there weren't the wolves -- you know I'd be answering this question with words like "forever."

RR Grace, I have to ask, even though I think know the answer. EDWARD OR JACOB?

Sam: *snorts*Grace: Sam, shut up. Stop laughing.Sam: I'm not laughing. This is not me laughing. I'm just curious. Yes, Grace, who would you trade the boy who turns into a wolf for? The boy who just might kill you by accident when he's not drinking blood or the boy who also TURNS INTO A WOLF?Grace: When you put it that way, I feel quite lucky. At least you're really human when you're human. Can I pass on this question? I mean, do I have to pick one?Sam: Yes. Because I want to know.Grace: Which is the one with a pulse?

RR Sam what is your favorite summer read and why?

Sam: I'm reading poetry by Mandelstam at the moment. He's quite brilliant. I don't like his poetry as well as Rilke, but it's got its moments.Grace: I think she meant as in current summer reads.Sam: Oh. Um. THE MAGICIANS. Is that current enough? I've just started it. It's weird and interesting and derivative.Grace: I couldn't finish it. It wasn't very . . . logical.Sam: Grace is not that book's intended audience. Pay no attention to her.

RR Maggie is writing another book named LINGER, what can we expect from that novel?

Grace: Um.Sam: Spoilery, like I said.Grace: Well, I can say a little, right? Isabel's in it. She's got a big part. And me and the wolves. . . I . . . no, I can't say anything about that. It's too --Sam: I hate to think about you like that.Grace: It'll be okay. I think. I hope.

As Sam begins to talk the waitress comes by with our order. Yeay!! Coffee, sweet nectar of the gods. The Carafe is set down with 3 mugs and all the fixings. Then she returns with a small tray with an assortment of truffles. We all smile, the coffee comes up to ensare us in its aroma.

RR Who wants coffee? and chocolate?

Sam: I have possibly lost my appetite.Grace: I'm always up for coffee. Eat something, Sam. LINGER doesn't come out until next fall. That's a long time.Sam: Thanks for the chocolates, Nancy. This place is nice.Grace: We'll have to come back here in FOREVER.

RR Ahhhhh!!! Young impossible love. I hope that it can survive the cold.

THANK YOU MAGGIE!! for letting Sam and Grace visit. I will treasure it always :)

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same. The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved? Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?Excerpt will be available July 25. (That's today) SQUEEEEEE!!!!

When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother's coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won't leave until he can reward Katrina's selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .

REVIEW YYY

It is said that no good deed goes unpunished, but if you ask Katrina about the good deed she bestowed upon the homeless man behind her grandmother's coffeehouse, she may tell you otherwise.

Katrina is an ordinary high school teenager that does not seem to know what she wants out of life, unlike her two best friends Vincent and Elizabeth whom are the exact opposite. In fact, Katrina does not seem to follow thru with much of anything in her life except for working at her grandmother's coffee shop: An old world style coffeehouse that is barely making it due to the swanky new java shop residing next door.

One morning Katrina finds a homeless man sleeping behind the coffeehouse and decides to leave him some coffee and day-old pastries, hoping that he would soon leave. But fate had different plans for Katrina. It turns out that the homeless man was an angel named Malcolm who was in her area to deliver a message to some one. He decides to pay a visit to Katrina (wearing a kilt) and tells her that her good deed has earned her a wish. She just had to tell him what she desired most and the wish would be granted and he would be on his way. Katrina does not believe him but decides to indulge him because thinks he is cute albeit a bit crazy. But crazy does not begin to cut it when her wish is tied to a coffee bean.

Needless to say the "wish" is not consumed and after another failed attempt follows the same path Katrina realizes that those actions have dire consequences that effect her on all levels. A close relationship changes, the coffeehouse suffers and Katrina is faced with a decision that will affect the rest of her life. To top it all off Malcolm will not leave until she truly tells him what she desires most otherwise it could prove costly for him, but how can she tell him that what she desires most is him?

MY THOUGHTS

Coffeehouse Angel was a nice lite read that tips the scales on the sweet side with fairy tale overtones. I liked the small nordic town and it's residents for creating a quaint backdrop in the story of a girl that finds her niche in life and a little romance too. Katrina's character development is well presented and it is nice to see her change from a clueless, needy person to a self thinking, go getter.

Although Malcom's role in the story was vital I did not find the romance between him and Katrina believable. It did not feel genuine and at times I wondered if she was soley interested in him because he was a handsome angel. I also have an issue with unresolved matters magically working all out in the last few pages.

So, if your looking for a lite read that has a mix of magic, personal growth and fairy tale endings then Coffeehouse Angel is the book for you.

SynopsisAs the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…Why? do I want thisas my WOW1) Cover Yumminess...yes, I am drawn to interesting covers2) The storyline is right up my paranormal vein of interest (no pun intended)3) Despite having vamps, demons and other characters that we see in books lately, Firespell's blurb does seem to have something that draws me to it.So tell me. What is your Waiting for Wednesday desire?

With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now they're causing him all kinds of trouble. Like, he'll blink and suddenly he's a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he'll change the future. Or he'll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she's going to die,

He is so over it. All he wants is peace.

And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, as long as he's near her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He's a loner; she has friends. He doesn't car what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it's too late....

Some how, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own, and a vampire princess Aden can't resist. Two romances, both forbidden. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger-but not everyone will come out alive....

Review YYY3/4

Listening to tunes on your ipod and going for a walk by a cemetery is no big deal... unless your Haden Stone. It seems that Aden has a special ability of raising the dead whenever he is near them. Actually it's not Aden's gift but Julius', one of the four souls that reside within Aden's body. Yet, having a smack down with the dead is the least of Aden's problems because he is soon to cross paths with a girl that will literally rock his world.In comes Mary Ann Gray, an ordinary girl that seems to have a less than ordinary gift. Upon crossing paths and locking eyes with Aden a blast of sound occurs, then silence. Aden realizes that he is experiencing true peace. Calm and quiet, no voices to drown out his own, but that is short lived as another blast of sound occurs and a strong gust of wind tosses him and Mary Ann backwards. They soon both experience the most bizarre emotions....first the need to run to each other, then the need to run away from each other. What the French??? Mary Ann runs away and as she does Aden's inner voices soon return. He knows that Mary Ann is the one that has caused his respite of peace and knows that he has to find her. His research leads him to Crossroads High where she is a student, but that is a problem since he attends a special school for wayward teens. Aden has an idea and with a little help from another soul, he also become a Crossroads High student and in contact with Mary Ann. From that point on things only get more bizarre. Aden and Mary Ann's chance meeting caused a major upset in the underworld and soon they encounter more than they ever thought possible. Aden becomes infatuated with a Vampire Princess and Mary Ann becomes a Were-wolf shape shifters obsession. But those two are nothing when Fairies, Ghosts, Witches, Demons and some flesh eating Goblins want to contact the source that caused the shift in "their" world and destroy them. YIKES!!!Together these unlikely friends will join forces as their fates intertwine to battle the dark forces of the underworld. Let the adventures begin....

My thoughts

I liked this book, although it did take a bit to get into. It had everything that I enjoy in a book. Action, adventure, romance, intrigue and loads of characters that are very likable.

Mary Ann and Aden were great characters to read and I liked how they developed as the story went along. I adored all of Aden's "souls" and their special abilities. You would think that it would be difficult keeping up with these souls, but no. The story is different and has a good premise. The action keeps coming and the ending leaves you curious in anticipation for more.

Gena Showalter has an amazing talent of sucking you in and keeping you locked down to her books. You cannot get away...and that is a very good thing. Especially with INTERTWINED. I enjoyed it and hope for more with UNRAVELED next year.

Jill over at Breaking the Spine started this and I believe that it's awesome" This blog post is to alert those that visit about "the" book that we cannot wait to get our hands on. I have decided to participate because I have a list that can go on forever and ever and it is interesting to see what else others are "waiting" for also.

This week's choice is one I have been....well, wanting for a long while. In my coffee induced haze since being on a well needed vacation I have done much reading. I have had the time read up on my WoW list and realized that I have never put this one up. So, here we go. I hope that everyone is enjoying their summers :)

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.

Hey there! For those that follow me I wanted to let you know that I have arrived on the east coast. This 10 day vacation of mine will include visiting some amazing friends, going to RWA in D.C. and visiting NYC and attending the Ghost Girl launch party. Yes, lots to do and report on. I will try my best to keep up with my posts but If I don't you will understand why. Now I am off for some much needed sleep.

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

REVIEWYYYY

In Prophecy of the Sisters we have Sixteen year-old twins Lia and Alice Milthorpe, and they have just become orphans. With this saddening fact Lia also becomes burdened with a distinguishing mark on her wrist that has suddenly come to life. Her physically challenged brother nor her beloved James can know about it...especially when she cannot shake the ominous feeling that comes with it. Lia feels more alone than ever for she cannot even confide in her twin that has become more of a stranger than a sister. A fact that is confirmed by her aunt and It is not long before Lia discovers that they have also become enemies....

Lia learns that she and Alice, being twins, are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other and where one sister's fateful decision could have an impact of Biblical proportions. Lia finds out that she does not have much guide her or to elude from this dark fate. She soon finds a group of friends that she is somehow connected to. What she are stories, a cryptic list, and a mysterious book that belonged to her father. These factors are the only things that Lia has to upstage her sister and she will need any advantage she can get, because Alice will stop at nothing and the lengths to which she will go to are limitless.

MY THOUGHTS

Prophecy of the Sisters is a story that slowly but surely ensnares you into it's very pages. The Gothic imagery and dark emotion steadily seep into your mind and you seem to experience first hand the mystery and suspense that is this novel. You can hear the constant rain the prevails, feel the isolation as surely as Lia's mark, and sense the evil that lurks beneath Alice's smooth facade. Michelle Zink is simply brilliant in creating a mood that is very tactile and ominous. Lia's character is well likable, but I suspect as the series progress that we will become more drawn to her as we see her wrestle with the demons within. Alice's quiet demeanor at masking her truly evil nature is bone chilling and not easy to forget. Lia's friends are also a great addition to the story, each a distinct character that add a bit more depth and emotion to this story. I would have liked a bit more romance between Lia and James but understand that at this juncture Lia's focus on the task at hand needs to be established.

I relished reading this original storyline of opposing sides and how neither side was entirely good or bad, and the reasons why? It is a unique twist on what is normally expected and you will not be disappointed. A wonderful novel that you will surely need to read with the lights on. Prophecy of the Sisters is a YA book that is clearly destined as a crossover hit for all ages and a great beginning to a series.

Jill over at Breaking the Spine started this and I believe that it's awesome" This blog post is to alert those that visit about "the" book that we cannot wait to get our hands on. I have decided to participate because I have a list that can go on forever and ever and it is interesting to see what else others are "waiting" for also.

Told in a voice that’s honest, urgent, and hilarious, Struts & Frets will resonate not only with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to a favorite album, wondering if they’d ever find their place in the world.Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together?

CAN'T GET ENOUGH? I KNOW I CAN'T , SO HERE IS A SNIPPET TO WET YOUR APPETITE.

Struts and Frets begins:Our band was called Tragedy of Reason. Or Tragedy of Wisdom. We hadn’t decided yet. I liked “Reason” because it said how much it sucked to be the only thoughtful person in a crazy world. But our frontman, Joe, liked “Wisdom” because he said:“It just sounds cooler!”We rehearsed at the Parks and Rec building downtown. It was an old dance studio, with slick wooden floors and tall mirrors on every wall. I was pretty sure that no one had danced there for a long time, though. The mirrors were all smudged and cracked. The balance bar screwed into one wall was barely holding on, and only one flickering fluorescent light worked. The whole place felt like an abandoned movie set from one of those old 80’s dance movies my mom liked to watch.I had talked about the band name before rehearsal with Rick the bassist and TJ the drummer and we had all agreed that “Reason” made more sense. But they didn’t say anything now because they were afraid to piss off Joe.Okay, okay. I was afraid to piss off Joe, too. He was one of those guys who started shaving in junior high. He was almost two feet taller than Rick and me. He was about the same height as TJ, but TJ was a lanky, stooped hipster boy and Joe was a massive, pierced, steel-toe boot wearing, leather and all the crazy spikes metal dude. He just looked plain scary. And he wasn’t one of those “Oh, once you get to know him, he’s such a softie” kind of guys. No, once you got to know him you realized that deep down, he was even scarier.The problem was that, even though I was scared of Joe, I had a hard time keeping my mouth shut.AMAZING STUFF, RIGHT? Then you have to go to Jon Skovron's website HERE and check it out. He has a blog, music and information about his upcoming debut novel.

Tonya Hurley is going to be reading from her newest book...She's bringing along Vince Clarke from Depeche Mode, Yaz, & Erasure...He's going to play music from the book's soundtrack....They are going to sign autographs...And give-away ghostgirl merch like tote bags and t-shirts...And there is going to be a GIGANTIC 3-D ghostgirl cake made by Food Network's ACE OF CAKES!

Of course this event is free of charge- just bring your lovely, darling selves!

Please spread the word on your blogs and tweet this! I will be forever thankful and you will receive good karma for all your days to come. And guessss what??? I am going...yes I am coming all the way from California and I would love to meet some peeps in blogland. Let me know if your coming :)

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder.

Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

MY REVIEW YYY1/2

It all begins with Kaylee and her best friend Emma sneaking out into a club for the night. While at the club Kaylee is approached by Nash Hudson, one of the most handsome and popular guys at her high school. She cannot begin to believe her good fortune, but it is short lived. Kaylee soon locks eyes with a female patron at the club and suddenly a wave of devastation and misfortune washes over her and with it a scream that threatens to bring down the house. Luckily Nash is there to calm her down and bring her to her senses before her "panic" attack overwhelms her. Kaylee saw the girl awash in dark shadows and knows that girl is going to die soon. She confesses this realization to Nash and Emma and thinks nothing of it until then next day when a news reports confirm her premonition.

Kaylee is racked with guilt. She knew the girl was going to die and yet she did nothing about it, but what could she have told the newly departed girl? Honestly? Without being thought she was crazy....again....for she had been down that road before with a previous "panic" episode. One that caused her Aunt and Uncle to have her committed. It is this reason that she cannot confide in them again and in turn Nash becomes her sounding board. Yet, for reasons that Kaylee cannot understand she feels that Nash knows more than he is willing to let on.

Before Kaylee can get over her guilt another death occurs with unexplained circumstances and as Kaylee begins to try and make sense of it another occurs right before her eyes at school. Again she is overcome with grief and the overwhelming urge to scream, to release all the pent up emotions threatening to consume her. Nash is able to help her and Kaylee cannot believe that another girl has died and she again did nothing. Something has to be done and they know that the recent string of unexplainable deaths is way out of the ordinary.So, Kaylee and Nash join forces to investigate the deaths and with this truths need to come out. Nash informs Kaylee of what she is and in turn what he is and his role in Kaylee's life. They are both Bean Sidhe's and each have an important role in dealing with a person's soul.

As they seek the answers to the recent deaths Nash decides to take her to visit a "friend" who is a death reaper, and he may have the answers they are searching for. That choice seems to be too dangerous and as her Uncle finds out about it he decides to call Kaylee's long absent father to come in and tell Kaylee everything about her being a Bean Sidhe.

Death comes for another soul, but this next attack proves to close for comfort as Kaylee and Nash join forces. Their collaboration does not go unnoticed and another pays the price for their efforts. Again Kaylee is overridden by guilt that is soon extinguished upon seeing her father. Yet before she can let her anger get the best of her his confession to her existence changes everything she had known and shakes her very foundation.Until death comes into her house and nothing is ever the same again....

MY THOUGHTS

I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Vincent's Were cat series and when she announced that she had a YA SOUL SCREAMER series, focusing on a Bean Sidhes teenage protagonist I could not wait to get my hands on it. I am very pleased to say that Rachel did not disappoint with this new mysterious paranormal genre interwoven with folklore and romance. My Soul to Take had me gripping the edges of my dear book and I did not want the story to end.

I enjoyed Kaylee's story and the realization of whom she was and her and Nash's role at saving a soul. I had never read a story involving Bean Sidhe's and I liked the fact that the both of them are needed in this process. The descriptions of Kaylee's affliction were so spot on that I could sense her "attacks" I could literally feel my emotions of grief over wash me and the need to release was palpable.

My Soul To Take is a great book for the first of a series. You get enough information about the Bean Sihde and Reaper culture that is fascinating and fresh, amid all the currant stories in print about vampires, werewolves and fairies. My Soul to Take gives you enough so that it ensnares you and makes you want more as your reading it and gripping the edge of your seat the entire time. It is this that makes me appreciate Rachel Vincent all the more. She is a wonderful story teller that gives you bits of literary wonder that keeps you coming back for more.

I recommend My Soul To Take for YA and Adult readers. The story is great and now I cannot wait for My Soul To Save, coming out in 2010. Gah....I don't think I can wait that long

In My Mailbox lets you peek into the contents of my mailbox on a weekly basis. I am listing all the lovely books that I have aquired this week. If you would like to participate and have your own “In My Mailbox” post, you can find more information here on the Story Siren's blog, where it all began..(This post was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.)

I also recieved some duplicates that will benifit others so keep an eye out for them of:ASH by Malinda Lo (contest next month)Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (contest next month)Demon Princess by Michelle Rowen (contest next month)

“Reading is everything. Reading makes me feel like I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. Reading makes me smarter. Reading gives me something to talk about later on. Reading is the unbelievably healthy way my attention deficit disorder medicates itself. Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real. Reading is grist. Reading is bliss.”

Tales of a Ravenous Reader

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I am an avid reader from Northern California and if you are a publisher and would like to have your YOUNG or NEW ADULT book reviewed, please email me. I accept ARCs, as well as books that have already been released. I am also more than happy to do author interviews, guest posts, and contests to promote your book as long as they are in the Young and New Adult genre. Please check my review policy prior to sending me an email, thank you. curlyshoe(at)gmail(dot)com

Upcoming YA Bay Area Book Events

I have compiled all the SF, bay area YA and NA events in this section. If you know of any events that I have failed to post, please let me know. Also, please keep in mind that some events may change and it is best to verify all events prior to attendance.